During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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